Display system for use in a vehicle

ABSTRACT

In an embodiment, a display system and method configured to be used for providing a user with information regarding the operating conditions of the vehicle. The system comprises a sensor that is configured to measure an operating condition of the vehicle, wherein the sensor provides a measurement signal based on the measured operating condition. The system includes a processor which is coupled to the sensor and configured to receive the measurement signal. The system includes a display module, preferably an organic light emitting diode (OLED), which is mounted to the vehicle, wherein the OLED displays sensor data received from the processor which is associated with the measurement signal and is to be read by a user. The sensor data is selectively displayed in compliance with a customizably programmable display profile, whereby the user is able to create and transfer the display profile in which form desired.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to vehicle display systems.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles such as automobiles, boats and motorcycles include between oneand several displays which inform the vehicle's operator of theoperating conditions of the vehicle. Automobile enthusiasts commonlymodify their vehicle to allow it to run faster, smoother and moreefficiently. This may include modifying the engine and/or the enginecontrols, adjusting the air-fuel mixture, and such. To aid in properlymonitoring whether the vehicle is operating under optimum conditions,the user may install one or more after-market dashboard sensor anddisplays which present data to the user of the vehicle's operatingconditions. However, the displays which are available on the market arelimited by the type and amount of information that can be displayed tothe user.

OVERVIEW

In an embodiment, a display system and method configured to be used forproviding a user with information regarding the operating conditions ofthe vehicle. The system comprises a sensor that is configured to measurean operating condition of the vehicle, wherein the sensor provides ameasurement signal based on the measured operating condition. The systemincludes a processor which is coupled to the sensor and configured toreceive the measurement signal. The system includes a display module,preferably an organic light emitting diode (OLED), which is mounted tothe vehicle, wherein the OLED displays sensor data received from theprocessor which is associated with the measurement signal and is to beread by a user. The sensor data is selectively displayed in compliancewith a customizably programmable display profile, whereby the user isable to create and transfer the display profile in which form desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate one or more examples ofembodiments and, together with the description of example embodiments,serve to explain the principles and implementations of the embodiments.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of the vehicle display system inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the vehicle display system inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate various example display profiles in accordancewith various embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart of the method of utilizing the system inaccordance with an embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Example embodiments are described herein in the context of a system fordisplaying operating conditions of a vehicle using customized displayprofiles. Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that thefollowing description is illustrative only and is not intended to be inany way limiting. Other embodiments will readily suggest themselves tosuch skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. Referencewill now be made in detail to implementations of the example embodimentsas illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same referenceindicators will be used throughout the drawings and the followingdescription to refer to the same or like items.

In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of theimplementations described herein are shown and described. It will, ofcourse, be appreciated that in the development of any such actualimplementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be madein order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliancewith application- and business-related constraints, and that thesespecific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from onedeveloper to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such adevelopment effort might be complex and time-consuming, but wouldnevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those ofordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

In accordance with this disclosure, the components, process steps,and/or data structures described herein may be implemented using varioustypes of operating systems, computing platforms, computer programs,and/or general purpose machines. In addition, those of ordinary skill inthe art will recognize that devices of a less general purpose nature,such as hardwired devices, microcontrollers, field programmable gatearrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or thelike, may also be used without departing from the scope and spirit ofthe inventive concepts disclosed herein. It is understood that thephrase “an embodiment” encompasses more than one embodiment and is thusnot limited to only one embodiment. Where a method comprising a seriesof process steps is implemented by a computer or a machine and thoseprocess steps can be stored as a series of instructions readable by themachine, they may be stored on a tangible medium such as a computermemory device (e.g., ROM (Read Only Memory), PROM (Programmable ReadOnly Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Eraseable Programmable Read OnlyMemory), FLASH Memory, Jump Drive, and the like), magnetic storagemedium (e.g., tape, magnetic disk drive, and the like), optical storagemedium (e.g., CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, paper card, paper tape and the like) andother types of program memory.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a vehicle display system inaccordance with an embodiment. The vehicle display system 100 ispreferably an aftermarket system which provides a customizable displayand data processing system to allow the driver of a vehicle to monitorthe operating conditions in real-time. It is contemplated, however, thatthe vehicle display system 100 described herein would not be anaftermarket system and may be incorporated into the vehicle while thevehicle is being manufactured.

As shown is FIG. 1, the system 100 includes a sensor module (generallydescribed as 102) coupled to one or more sensors 101 and an interfacemodule or device (generally described as 104). In addition, the system100 includes a display module or device (generally described as 106)coupled to the interface module 104. Three sensor modules 102A, 102B,102C are shown in FIG. 1 although any number of sensor modules 102N,including just only one sensor module, is contemplated. In addition, oneinterface module 104 is shown in FIG. 1 although more than one interfacemodule coupled to one another or separate from one another iscontemplated. Further, three display modules 106A, 106B, 106C are shownin FIG. 1 although any number of displays 106N, including one, iscontemplated.

In one or more embodiments, the sensor modules 102 sense, measure andprovide data to the interface module 104 regarding one or more operatingconditions of the vehicle. The measured data includes but is not limitedto: air-fuel ratio, exhaust gas temperature, fluid temperature,pressure, vacuum, air intake temperature, sound, speed, distance, fuellevel, voltage, throttle position, engine load, air flow rate, fueltrim, knock, power, torque, current, vapor output (e.g. smog, carbonmonoxide), and/or any other operating condition of the vehicle. In anembodiment, the sensor modules 102 are coupled to the interface module104 with one or more wires, although the sensor modules 102 canalternatively communicate with the interface module 104 wirelessly. Inan embodiment, the sensor modules 102 output the sensor signals inanalog form, although the sensor signals may alternatively be output indigital form. Any appropriate type of sensor modules are utilized withthe system and particular details of the types of sensors are notdiscussed herein.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the sensor modules 102 areindividually and separately coupled to the interface module 104, wherebythe interface module 104 receives and processes sensor signals from eachsensor module 102 substantially simultaneously. In an embodiment, asshown in FIG. 2, one or more of the sensor modules 202 are coupled toother sensor modules 202 serially in a “daisy-chain” fashion or by timedivision multiplexing. In particular, as shown in FIG. 2, a sensormodule 202A is coupled to sensor module 202B, whereby sensor module 202Bis coupled to sensor module 202C, and so on to sensor module 202N. Asshown, sensor module 202C is coupled to the interface module 104. In theembodiment in FIG. 2, sensor signals from sensor module 202A aretransferred to sensor module 202B. In other words, the data output fromsensor module 202B will include not only the sensor signals from sensormodule 202B, but also the sensor signals from sensor module 202A in atime division multiplexed manner. Upon sensor module 202C outputting thesensor signal to the interface module 204, the interface module 204 willreceive sensor data signals from each sensor module 202. Although notshown, a clock signal is provided between the sensor modules 202 and theinterface module 204 which allow the sensor signals to be properlymultiplexed in the signal received by the interface module 204.

In an embodiment, the interface module 104 includes a port 110 toconnect it to the display module 106. In an embodiment, the interfacemodule 104 includes one or more ports 112 which connect it to the sensormodules 102. Although the sensor modules 102 are preferably installedonto the vehicle and coupled to the interface module 104, it iscontemplated that the interface module 104 can communicate and receiveinformation from already existing sensors in the automobile. This wouldresult in the system 100 be able to provide the user with not only withoperating conditions from the aftermarket sensors, but also from sensorsalready built into the vehicle during manufacture.

The interface module 104 includes a processor 108 which communicateswith the sensor modules 102 via the one or more ports and a memory 114which is coupled to the processor 108. In an embodiment the interfacemodule 104 includes a port to couple it with another interface module(not shown). This allows scalability of the system to handle additionalsensor modules and display modules 106 as well as possess a modularcharacteristic. Upon the interface module 104 receiving the sensorsignals, the processor 108 processes the data and outputs the processeddata via port 112 to the display module 106. In an embodiment, theinterface module 104 includes a wired communications port 116 such as aUniversal Serial Bus (USB) RS232 or Firewire type port, whereby data istransferred between the interface module 104 and an external computer(e.g. laptop, server, existing vehicle computer). As discussed in moredetail below, the communications port 116 allows the user to transferdata to the processor interface device 104 from the external computer.Additionally or alternatively, the communications port 116 facilitatestransfer of stored sensor data from the system to the external computerfor analysis purposes. In an embodiment, the interface module 104includes a wireless communication port in addition to or alternative tothe wired communications port 116 to perform these functions.

The interface module 104 includes an analog to digital converter (notshown) in an embodiment, whereby the interface module 104 receivesanalog sensor signals from the sensor modules 102. It is contemplated inan embodiment, however, that the interface module 104 may be configuredto be entirely analog-based, whereby an analog to digital converter isplaced either at the output of the interface module 104 or the input ofthe display module 106. In an embodiment, the interface module 104 isconfigured to automatically sense and/or register with each sensormodule 102 upon being connected the interface module 104.

The system 100 is configured to measure, process, and output sensor datato be displayed by the display module 104 various formats, such asnumeral, table and/or graphical. In an embodiment, the system 100includes a speaker (not shown) which audibly provides operatingconditions to the user. The system 100 is able to process data in asensor table format such as a database of numbers and algorithms used toconvert sensor data into specific output formats which can be easilyread by the user. The sensor table can be uploaded to the device forupdating and recognizing new sensors once they are available. In anembodiment, the user is able to view each sensor's information at thesame time on the display screen. In an embodiment, the user is able totoggle among the different screens from each sensor using a remotecontrol, touch screen of the display screen, voice recognition or thelike.

In an embodiment, the interface device 104 accepts and stores user setparameter values which are then used in informing the user of thevehicle's operating conditions. For example, the user may set minimumand maximum values for one or more particular operating conditions. Thesystem 100 keeps track of sensor data and compares it in real time withthe perimeter values. In an embodiment, the system 100 alerts the usereither audibly and/or visually when the sensor values are at or areapproaching the perimeter set values. In an embodiment, the system 100is able to store sensor data and calculate as well as display trendsover a user set period of time via the display module 106.

It is preferred that the system 100 is able to present data from thesensors in a variety of set or customized display profiles or formats.In an embodiment, the processor 108 is a logic device or microprocessorwhich converts raw data from the sensor modules 102 into a format whichcomplies with set parameters of a display profile to be displayed by thedisplay module 106. The processor 108 is preferably programmable by theuser to automatically convert the sensor signals and output theprocessed data in the desired format.

In an embodiment, the processor 108 may be programmed to output raw datafrom the sensor modules 102 in a digital alphanumeric format, graphformat, digitized analog format (e.g. digital dial), table showing datafrom multiple sensors, etc. In an embodiment, the processor 108 mayexecute software instructions created by the user to output customizeddisplay profiles of the sensor data. For example, the display resultsmay be customized based on font size, color, font type, line thickness,and/or other display effects. In an embodiment, the user is able tocreate a display profile having a graphical user interface with aplurality of template components including backgrounds, wallpapers,foreground graphics, special effects, animation, videos and/or sounds.The template components can be easily developed by the user using asoftware developers toolkit (SDK) as discussed in more detail below.

The software instructions are in the form of computer code embodied in afile and/or a series of data packets which can be easily transferred toand from the interface device 104. For example, the user may transfer analready existing display profile to an external computer, whereby theuser may change one or more template components using the SDK andtransfer the modified file back to the interface device 104. The systemwill then display the operating conditions consistent with the modifieddisplay profile via the display module 106. It is contemplated that theprogram instructions may be purchased from a website and downloaded tothe user's computer or directly to the interface module 104.

As stated above, the display profile may be created by the user using asoftware developer's toolkit, whereby the software instructions aretransferred to the interface module 104. In an example, a displayprofile may be designed of a digital representation of an analog needlegauge, as shown in FIG. 3B, in which the numbers remain stationary andthe needle rotates about the center to point to the number correspondingto the sensor data received by the interface device 104. The user isthen able to transfer the display profile to the interface module 104which then loads the file and automatically displays the representationof the needle on the display module 106. The software instructionspreferably maps the customized gauge to properly respond to sensorvalues, from a minimum value all the way to a maximum value (0-20 in theexample in FIG. 3B), received from the sensors such that the needle willmove to the proper value on the gauge based on the measurements. It iscontemplated that any appropriate known method of properly correspondingthe display with the received sensor values is contemplated.

In another example shown in FIG. 3A, a display profile of a digitalrepresentation of another type of analog gauge is loaded into theinterface module 104 to be output on the display module 106. In thisexample, the needle remains stationary while the numbers rotate aboutthe center such that the raw data value is aligned with the top of theneedle. The interface module 104 upon reading the software instructionwill constantly update the display to correspond with the receivedsensor data such that the number at the top of needle will correspond tothe sensor value received in real time. This may be done by mapping thedisplay profile such that the numbers properly move about the center tocorrespond with the sensor data such that the received sensor value atany instant is pointed to by the needle. It is contemplated that anyappropriate known method of properly corresponding the display with thereceived sensor values is contemplated.

In another example shown in FIG. 3C, a display profile of a digitalcounter having a color coded semicircular bar above the counter isloaded into the interface module 104 to be output on the display module106. In this example, the counter displays the sensor value while thesemi circular bar is filled with a color which corresponds with thenumbers below the bar but above the digital counter. The interfacemodule 104 will constantly update the display to correspond with thereceived sensor data such that the portion of the bar that is filledcorresponds in real time with the sensor value received and displayed.It is contemplated that any appropriate known method of properlycorresponding the display with the received sensor values iscontemplated.

The display profile may be programmed to output one or more wallpapertemplates that are displayed as the background by module 106. In anexample, the wallpaper is a digitized image or photo in any format (e.g.jpg., bmp., etc) which is transferred to and stored by the interfacemodule 104. In an embodiment, the display profile includes templatesthat have insertable data fields which can be populated with sensordata. In an embodiment, the templates are already programmed into theprocessor 108 prior to installation. In an embodiment, the backgroundtemplates may be created and/or customized by the user, whereby thebackground template is transferred to the interface device 104. Theinterface module 104 may store the uploaded files in the memory 114 forlater retrieval. The template files may be already be written andavailable on a website whereby the desired software file is purchasedfrom the website and downloaded to the user's computer or directly tothe interface module 104. Additionally or alternatively, the templatefile may be created by the user using a developer's toolkit.

In an embodiment, the user is able to transfer one or more executablesoftware files to the interface device 104, whereby the device 104executes the file to perform a specific function attributed to thesoftware file. Such files include standard firmware upgrade files aswell as packages to enhance the user's experience with the displaysystem 100 other than or in addition to a customized display profile. Inan embodiment, the interface module 104 executes the uploaded file andapplies the sensor data to output specialized data presentations via thedisplay 106. For example, the user may desire to see how efficient aparticular model of an installed automotive component (e.g. catalyticconverter, engine performance chip, etc.) is operating in relation toother types of similar components. The user is thus able to upload adriver, patch or other type of executable file which analyzes andreports information to the user regarding that particular installedcomponent based on sensor data and compares that data to known data ofother similar components. In another example, a program may be loadedinto the interface module 104 which compares sensed data of an installedcomponent with optimum operating conditions of that installed componentand provides the user with real time comparison data to show how theinstalled component is performing. In an instance, the downloadedprogram itself may include algorithms which automatically calculate anddisplay efficiency ratios between the sensed data and the downloadedreference data. It should be noted that the above is just an example,and any other types of programs, patches, drivers and/or softwareapplications for other purposes may be loaded to, applied and run by theinterface device 104. The software may be already be written andavailable on a website whereby the software file is purchased from thewebsite and downloaded to the user's computer or directly to theinterface module 104. Additionally or alternatively, the software may becreated by the user using the SDK which is ten loaded onto the interfacemodule 104.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrates the display module 106 in accordance withvarious embodiments. In an embodiment, the display module includes ahousing 300 having a display component 302 located within. The housingsin FIGS. 3A-3C are shown having a circular shape, although other shapedesigns are contemplated. The housings are a standard 52 mm diametergauge, although other sizes are contemplated, which can be fit into anystandard aftermarket interior-housing. In an embodiment, the displaymodule 106 is a stand alone device, however the display module 106 maybe attached to a mounting which is mounted onto the interior of avehicle. In an embodiment, more than one display module 106 is mountedas a set to the interior of the vehicle.

It is preferred that the display component is an organic light emittingdiode (OLED) 302. The OLED is typically inexpensive and small comparedto other types of display components. The OLED produces over 60,000colors and has a large viewing angle of approximately 180°. In addition,the OLED produces a high contrast which allows the user to read thedisplay in direct sunlight. Although the OLED is described herein as thepreferred display component, it is intended that other types of displaycomponents besides the OLED may be utilized in the display system 100.The OLED preferably includes an integrated color pallet which itself maybe customized by the user, whereby more than one color may be applied toa particular pixel.

In an embodiment, an apparatus for use in a vehicle comprising a sensorconfigured to measure an operating condition of the vehicle, wherein thesensor provides a measurement signal based on the measured operatingcondition; a processor coupled to the sensor and configured to receivethe measurement signal; and an organic light emitting diode (OLED)adapted to be mounted to the vehicle and coupled to the processor,wherein the OLED displays sensor data received from the processorassociated with the measurement signal to be read by a user, the sensordata selectively displayed in compliance with a customizablyprogrammable display profile.

In an embodiment, a method for displaying an operating conditioncomprising: measuring an operating condition of a vehicle and sending ameasurement signal associated with the operating condition (400 in FIG.4); receiving the measurement signal at a processor and outputting asensor data signal based on the measurement signal (402); and displayingsensor data associated with the sensor data signal via an organic lightemitting diode (OLED) adapted to be mounted to the vehicle and coupledto the processor, wherein the OLED selectively displays the sensor datain compliance with a customizably programmable display profileinstructed to be run by said processor (404).

In an embodiment, software encoded in one or more computer-readablemedia adapted for execution by a machine and when executed operable toperform a method, the method comprising: receiving a measurement signalfrom a sensor mounted to a vehicle, the measurement signal associatedwith an operating condition of the vehicle; outputting a sensor datasignal based on the measurement signal; and displaying sensor dataassociated with the sensor data signal via an organic light emittingdiode (OLED) adapted to be mounted to the vehicle and coupled to theprocessor, wherein the OLED selectively displays the sensor data incompliance with a customizably programmable display profile instructedto be run by said processor.

In an embodiment, an apparatus for use in a vehicle comprising: a sensorconfigured to measure an operating condition of the vehicle, wherein thesensor provides a measurement signal based on the measured operatingcondition; a processor coupled to the sensor and configured to receivethe measurement signal, the processor configured output sensor datacorresponding to the measurement signal, the processor configured tooutput said sensor data in a first display form when instructed to run afirst set of software executable instructions, the processor configuredto output said sensor data in a second display form when instructed torun a second set of software executable instructions; and an organiclight emitting diode (OLED) adapted to be mounted to the vehicle andcoupled to the processor, the OLED configured to selectively displaysaid sensor data in the first display form in real time and said sensordata in the second display form in real time while the vehicle isoperating, wherein the processor is capable of receiving a third set ofsoftware executable instructions created by a user, wherein said OLEDdisplays said sensor data in a third display form corresponding to saidthird set of software executable instructions.

In one or more embodiments, the display profile further comprises aplurality of template components, wherein processor corresponds themeasurement signal with the template components to output the sensordata in compliance with the display profile. In one or more embodiments,the display profile is a software executable file, wherein the file iscreated on an external computer and transferred to the processor. In oneor more embodiments, the display profile is modifiable to create amodified display profile wherein the modified display profile is createdby the user on said external computer. In one or more embodiments, thesensor further comprises a plurality of sensors configured to measure aplurality of operating conditions of the vehicle, wherein the sensorsare coupled directly to the processor in a serial and/or parallelconfiguration. In one or more embodiments, the sensor further comprisesa plurality of sensors, wherein the processor receives a firstmeasurement signal from a first sensor and a second measurement signalfrom a second sensor, wherein sensor data of the first sensor and sensordata of the second sensor are displayed in an order via the OLED whereinthe processor is configured to compare sensor data from the first andsecond sensors and output said comparison via the OLED. In one or moreembodiments, the OLED includes an integrated color palette configured tobe customizable to output a plurality of colors. In one or moreembodiments, the processor is configured to output one or more digitalrepresentations of an analog output, a digital output, a graph and/or atable to the OLED. In one or more embodiments the processor displaysmaximum and/or minimum measurement values from one or more sensors overa duration via the OLED.

While embodiments and applications have been shown and described, itwould be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of thisdisclosure that many more modifications than mentioned above arepossible without departing from the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle-mounted apparatus comprising: a firstinterface module configured to communicate with at least one firstsensor module that measures a first operating condition of the vehicle,wherein the at least one first sensor module provides a firstmeasurement signal based on the first measured operating condition tothe first interface module; a second interface module coupled to thefirst interface module in a daisy chain fashion through a port, whereinthe first and second interface modules are modularly configured to bescalable to connect with one or more additional interface modules, thesecond interface module configured to communicate with at least onesecond sensor module that measures a second operating condition of thevehicle, wherein the at least one second sensor module provides a secondmeasurement signal based on the second measured operating condition tothe second interface module, the second interface module configured tooutput the first measurement signal with the second measurement signalin a time division multiplexed manner; wherein each interface moduleincludes a processor and a memory, wherein the second interface moduleis configured to receive at least the multiplexed first and secondmeasurement signals and display sensor data representative of thereceived multiplexed measurement signals in compliance with acustomizably programmable display profile; wherein the interface modulesand the display module are not integrated in a dashboard of the vehicle.2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display profile furthercomprises a plurality of template components, wherein a processorcorresponds the measurement signal with the template components tooutput the sensor date in compliance with the display profile.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the display profile is a softwareexecutable file, wherein the file is created on an external computer andtransferred to the processor.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein thedisplay profile is modifiable to create modified display profile whereinthe modified display profile is created by the user on said externalcomputer.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one firstsensor further comprises a plurality of first sensors configured tomeasure a plurality of respective operating conditions of the vehicle,wherein the plurality of first sensors are coupled to the processor ofthe first sensor module in a serial configuration.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the processor is configured to compare sensor data fromthe first and second interface modules with one or more set perimetervalues and output said comparison via the display, wherein the displayoutputs an alert when the comparison is within a threshold of the one ormore set perimeter values.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thedisplay further comprises an OLED display, wherein the OLED displayincludes an integrated color palette configured to be customizable tooutput a plurality of colors.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theprocessor is configured to output one or more digital representations ofan analog output, a digital output, a graph and/or a table to thedisplay.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor displaysmaximum and/or minimum measurement values from one or more sensormodules over a duration via the display.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein at least one sensor module communicates the measurement signalswirelessly to an interface module.
 11. A method for displaying anoperating condition of a vehicle comprising: installing a plurality ofinterface modules, in a vehicle, wherein each interface module includesan input port and an output port, each interface module is coupled toone or more sensors configured to measures an operating condition of thevehicle, wherein measurement signals representative of the operatingcondition of the vehicle are sent from the one or more sensors to theirrespective interface modules, the interface modules being modularlyconfigured to be scalable to connect with one or more additionalinterface modules; coupling the plurality of interface modules seriallyin a daisy chain through a port, wherein each interface module combinesmeasurement signals from its respective sensor with the measurementsignals received from one or more interface modules located upstream inthe daisy chain in a time division multiplexed manner; receiving themeasurement signals from the coupled interface modules at an interfacemodule and processing, using a processor, the multiplexed measurementsignals into sensor data; and displaying sensor data associated with thesensor data via a display module coupled to the processor, wherein thedisplay module receives the sensor data from the plurality of interfacemodules and selectively displays the sensor data in compliance with acustomizably programmable display profile; wherein the interface modulesand the display module are not integrated in a dashboard of the vehicle.12. The method of claim 11, wherein the display profile furthercomprises a plurality of template components, wherein processorcorresponds the measurement signal with the template components tooutput the sensor data in compliance with the display profile.
 13. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the display profile is a software executablefile, wherein the file is created on an external computer andtransferred to the processor.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein theprocessor is configured to compare sensor data from the interfacemodules with one or more set perimeter values and output said comparisonvia the display module, wherein the display module outputs an alert whenthe measurement values are within a threshold of the one or more setperimeter values.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the display modulefurther comprises an OLED display, wherein the OLED display includes anintegrated color palette configured to be customizable to output aplurality of colors.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the processoris configured to output one or more digital representations of an analogoutput, a digital output, a graph and/or a table to the OLED display.17. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one sensor modulecommunicates the measurement signals wirelessly to an interface module.18. A vehicle-mounted apparatus comprising: a plurality of modular basedinterface modules coupled serially to one another in a daisy chainthrough a port, wherein each interface module is coupled respectively toone or more sensors that measure one or more operating conditions of avehicle, wherein each interface module outputs measurement signalsreceived from its respective one or more sensors to a subsequentinterface module in the daisy chain, wherein the subsequent interfacemodule arranges the received measurement signals in a time divisionmultiplexed manner with measurement signals of its own one or moresensors, the interface modules being modularly configured to be scalablewherein at least one interface module is configured to be coupled to atleast one additional interface module; wherein each interface moduleprocesses measurement signals to output sensor data representative ofthe operating conditions of the vehicle; and a display module coupled toat least one of the interface modules, wherein the display moduledisplays the output sensor data in compliance with a customizablyprogrammable display profile; wherein the interface modules and thedisplay module are not integrated in a dashboard of the vehicle.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 18, wherein at least one sensor module communicatesthe measurement signals wirelessly to an interface module.